ynot wrote:I tried the helmit for a long time. I kept taking it off half way up the route because it's just to hot. You can also flip upside down when you pop off a layback. the best you can hope for is climbers learn thier lesson about having the rope behind thier leg without getting hurt. Flipping is scary shit and makes one think more next time.
It also screws up the lead head. A dose of reality.
That, and sometimes you meet really nice folk after flipping!
What I love about running is you can meditate while running. It's a peaceful place.
Sister Mary Elizabeth Lloyd, Runs marathons to raise money and awareness about children orphaned by AIDS
This spring I was on a route (12d) and screwed up my sequence and decided I could get my self out of the screw up by dynoing. I dynoed wildly, feet everywhere, hand it the lip of the jug and I fell. My legs were not behind the rope when I was on the rock, but they went behind the rope in the wild dyno fall. I fell thirty plus feet upside down. It was scary, but I sent next try, even though my but hurt from hitting the rock. You just have to tuck your head and put your hands on it. That method makes for a perfect makeshift helmet.
ask eric cox about wearing helmets on steep routes. he loves to show the stains on his bandana from when he flipped and severely cut his head & suffered a concussion! (bandana was used to apply pressure & slow the bleeding - apparently it blead for many days ) i don't remember the route name - i'm pretty sure it was at the lode.
obviously the choice is up to the individual as to whether or not to wear one. i'm just partial to my noggin remaining intact.
*josephine steps down from her soap box*
"Unthinkably good things can happen, even late in the game." ~ Under the Tuscan Sun
I am certainly not advocating for wearing a helmet all the time.
I certainly don't always wear one, and definitely feel like each person has to make their personal choice (as long as it doesn't result in a Search and Rescue event that risks other people's lives. . . i.e. not wearing a helmet on a alpine climb where rockfall is an issue, oh, wait a minute this is kentucky, ain't no alpinists here. . . .)
Really, I just thought it was funny that everyone immediately called the guy a goober for not wearing a helmet and I rarely, if ever, see anyone wearing helmets at any sport crag (not even to belay, which arguably everyone should do as well. . ). . here, in Colorado, in Wyoming, or other sport crags.
I agree that the steeper the route, the less necessary it becomes.
Personally, I liked the "Nelson" response to this post most of all.
"Lets take action to stop this kind of thing!!!!!!"
Gumby gets in over his head, rope behind leg, gumby belayer. Is it really that surprising that things got a little screwy? I've seen this kind of thing a half a dozen times.
) i don't remember the route name - i'm pretty sure it was at the lode. 
